East Java-Yemen Strengthen Trade and Education Ties

RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen to Indonesia, Salem Ahmed Abdulrahman Balfakeeh, held talks on Monday, May 18, 2026, to expand strategic cooperation.

Meeting at the historic Gedung Negara Grahadi in Surabaya, East Java, the two leaders focused on strengthening bilateral linkages across trade, multi-tiered education, and cultural heritage preservation.

Governor Khofifah noted that while technical implementation teams are already drafting operational frameworks, all subsequent provincial agreements will strictly adhere to the formal recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the East Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

The commercial relationship between East Java and Yemen has achieved an impressive upward trajectory. Over the five-year period spanning 2021 to 2025, East Java’s export value to Yemen experienced an aggressive average growth rate of 24.08 percent annually.

By the end of 2025, East Java’s outbound shipments to the Middle Eastern nation reached USD 14.6 million, dominated heavily by processed flour, manufactured soaps and detergents, paper and cardboard products, glassware, processed food commodities, electrical appliances, and premium fishery products.

Conversely, East Java’s inbound imports from Yemen stood at USD 1.97 million, yielding a substantial trade surplus of approximately USD 12.63 million in favor of the Indonesian province.

Governor Khofifah highlighted that market expansion potential remains high, accelerated by deep-seated consumer familiarity with each other's goods. For instance, authentic Yemeni honey has long been a staple souvenir brought home by Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, while various Javanese products and culinary terms have seamlessly integrated into Yemeni households.

Beyond standard economics, the relationship is deeply rooted in centuries of maritime trade, intellectual exchange, and shared lineage.

She pointed to the vibrant Arab-Hadhrami diaspora community concentrated in the Ampel district of Surabaya and surrounding East Java regencies as a living symbol of this enduring connection. This historical bond is also reflected culturally, with traditional Yemeni melodies remaining highly popular across the province.

In the academic arena, the upcoming partnership intends to catalyze structured student exchange programs, particularly focusing on Islamic studies and community leadership. The educational track aims to blend classic theological scholarship with modern social principles.

“It becomes an important part of building education, especially in the religious major sectors, so that they receive strengthening on how to implement moderation within the communities where they will dedicate themselves,” Governor Parawansa explained, as quoted by Antara.

Ambassador Salem Ahmed Abdulrahman Balfakeeh expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception from the East Java Provincial Administration, reaffirming the historical importance of the Javanese-Yemeni connection. He underscored that the Hadhrami community has historically played a monumental role in shaping the social fabric of Indonesia.

Through these renewed treaties, Yemen aims to systematically rebuild and modernize its ties with East Java, ensuring mutual prosperity in education, arts, and the regional economy. ***